Can transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) improve cognitive functions in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)?
Vagus Nerve Stimulator, a randomized controlled trial in 52 patients (Brain Stimul 2022, PMID 36150665) — transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation improved cognitive function and sleep quality in patients with mild cognitive impairment over 24 weeks. Scope: 52 patients, and the abstract states no limitations.
Source: Brain Stimul 2022, PMID 36150665 ↗ · Research map · How Magellan grades evidence · evidence confidence: medium
Brain Stimul · 2022 · PMID 36150665 · DOI 10.1016/j.brs.2022.09.003
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation improved cognitive function and sleep quality in patients with mild cognitive impairment over 24 weeks.
The question
Can transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) improve cognitive functions in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)?
What they tested
Transcutaneous electrical stimulation of auricular acupoints in the distribution of the vagus nerve will be effective in improving cognitive functions in patients with MCI.
How they did it
This was a randomized controlled trial involving 52 patients with MCI, aged 55-75 years. Patients were randomly assigned to either a taVNS group, where two auricular acupoints (heart and kidney in the concha) within the vagus nerve distribution were stimulated, or a sham taVNS group, where two other auricular acupoints (elbow and shoulder in the scaphoid fossa) outside the vagus nerve distribution were stimulated. The primary outcome was the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B), and secondary outcomes included various cognitive and sleep measures. Outcomes were assessed at baseline and after 24 weeks of intervention.
What they found
After 24 weeks, there was a significant difference in overall MoCA-B scores between the taVNS and sham taVNS groups (p = 0.033). In the taVNS group, compared to baseline, overall MoCA-B scores increased significantly (p < 0.001). Specific sub-indicators of the Auditory Verbal Learning Test-HuaShan version (N5 and N7) and Boston Naming Test (BNT) also significantly increased (all ps < 0.001) in the taVNS group. The Shape Trails Test B (STTB) significantly decreased (p = 0.016), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Rapid Eye Movement Sleep Behavior Disorder Screening Questionnaire (RBDSQ), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) significantly decreased (p = 0.002, 0.025, <0.001, 0.006 respectively) in the taVNS group. One patient in the taVNS group reported mild, transient adverse reactions.
| MoCA-B (Overall Scores) | 0.001 | |
|---|---|---|
| AVLT-H (N5) | 0.001 | |
| AVLT-H (N7) | 0.001 | |
| STTB | 0.016 | |
| BNT | 0.001 | |
| PSQI | 0.002 | |
| RBDSQ | 0.025 | |
| ESS | 0.001 | |
| FAQ | 0.006 |
P-values for significant changes in various outcome measures within the taVNS group after 24 weeks of intervention, compared to baseline. Lower p-values indicate stronger statistical significance.
What it means
Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) can improve cognitive performance in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This method may be recommended as a therapy to prevent or prolong the development of MCI into dementia, though further investigation is needed.
Limitations
The abstract does not explicitly state limitations, but it does mention that further investigation is required, implying a need for more research to fully establish the therapy's efficacy and generalizability.
Where the published abstract does not list limitations, we say so rather than inventing them. Read the full paper on PubMed before drawing conclusions.
The paper at a glance
| Title | Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized clinical trial |
|---|---|
| Journal | Brain Stimul |
| Year | 2022 |
| PMID | 36150665 ↗ |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.brs.2022.09.003 ↗ |
| Topic | Brain, cognition & mood |
Read the source: PubMed record (authors, abstract, full citation) ↗ · Publisher via doi.org ↗
Where Magellan uses this paper
This citation sits behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are set from the research and are independent of affiliate commissions.
Vagus Nerve Stimulator (tVNS)
Improves autonomic balance, anti-inflammatory. Research relevant to this mechanism is indexed on PubMed and linked below; it describes the mechanism rather than this specific product.
Molecules & mechanisms in this paper
Each of these is named in the paper’s own words above. Open the monograph for the full mechanism and its other citations.
Cite this page
These citations point at this summary. To cite the original paper with its full author list, use the PubMed record or doi.org.
Magellan Longevity. (2026). Can transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) improve cognitive functions in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)? [Plain-English summary of Brain Stimul 2022, PMID 36150665, DOI 10.1016/j.brs.2022.09.003]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36150665.html@misc{magellan_d36150665,
title = {Can transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) improve cognitive functions in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)?},
author = {{Magellan Longevity}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36150665.html}},
note = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 36150665; DOI 10.1016/j.brs.2022.09.003; Brain Stimul 2022. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
urldate = {2026-08-11}
}https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d36150665.htmlRelated studies in the Magellan library
- Does low-level transcutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch of the vagus nerve (tVNS)…JACC Clin Electrophysiol · 2023 · PMID 37999672
- Transcranial Near Infrared Light Stimulations Improve Cognition in Patients with DementiaAging Dis · 2021 · PMID 34221541
- Does saffron extract improve sleep quality in individuals with mild to moderate sleep…Nutrients · 2021 · PMID 33925432
- Lutein and Zeaxanthin Supplementation Improves Dynamic Visual and Cognitive PerformanceAdv Ther · 2024 · PMID 38363462
- Effects of inspiratory muscle training on blood pressure and sleep in obstructive sleep apneaSleep Breath · 2022 · PMID 36576599
- What nutritional interventions, foods, beverages, and supplements can improve sleep quality…Nutrients · 2021 · PMID 34068512
Prefer the interactive version? Open this summary in the Magellan app → · Browse all 314 study summaries →